Pat Fitzgerald has been identified as the top candidate for the Michigan State Spartans' vacant head coaching job. The two sides are working on a contract and are expected to come to terms on a deal sometime in the near future, ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel reported on Sunday night.

Michigan State recently parted ways with now-former head coach Jonathan Smith, who led the Spartans to a 4-8 finish in his second season with the program.

Now, it appears Michigan State has its new program leader in Fitzgerald.

Details regarding Fitzgerald's contract began to emerge on Monday. The former Northwestern head coach is reportedly expected to sign a five-year deal with the school, according to a report from Thamel.

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